Earlier this week we asked you, our tribal members, for their support the bi-partisan bill—the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 (S. 744), which will hit the Senate floor earlier this week. If passed, the bill will help to alleviate chronic shortage of skilled workers qualified in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Now, we are happy to report that the Senate has passed the Act, and is currently urging the House to follow suit.
We are almost there, but we still need your support and help to get this done. Please remember to go to the Microsoft VFI Action Center, and Click Here to show your support by writing to your state and local lawmakers.
CompTIA said that it is also supporting the Act, and is hopeful that the House will follow the example led by the Senate. The organization issued a statement on this, per Elizabeth Hyman, CompTIA’s VP Public Advocacy.
“We applaud the strong bi-partisan support of the Senate to pass this legislation that addresses our broken immigration system. We appreciate that it took countless hours to reach this agreement and are grateful for the Senators and their staffs for their commitment to this issue.
“CompTIA believes S.744 with its improvements in the availability of both green cards and H-1B visas, will build a long-term pipeline of American workers for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related jobs – jobs that are critical to America’s economic growth. The bill also will enable employers and entrepreneurs of all sizes in every state to recruit and retain the world’s best talent.
“Many of CompTIA’s membership are small and medium-sized technology firms that benefit from a strong pipeline of talent throughout the industry. Allowing STEM advanced degree holders to remain in the U.S. with a green card gives the tech SMB an opportunity to recruit talent that they might not otherwise have access to. Allowing foreign entrepreneurs willing to stay and invest in our country also makes sense, as more than a quarter of all technology and engineering businesses launched in the U.S. between 1995 and 2005 had an immigrant founder.
“This legislation goes far to establish a balanced and workable system that will keep the United States a global leader in education, innovation and technology,” Hyman said. “We look forward to timely and positive consideration of this important legislation by the House of Representatives.”
